Shock-cushioning drive



May 28, 1929.

G. F. ECKART 1,715,124

SHOCK CUSHIONING'DRIVE Filed Oct. l, 1927 Patented May 28, 41929.

il N l T S GEORGE F. ECKART,

ATF;

i anatra rica.

SHOCY-CUSHIONING DRIVE.

Application led October 1, 1927. Serial No. 223,375.

This invention relates to shock-cushioning drives or the like, and is particularly adapted to be used upon a propeller shaft of an auto mobile. One of its primary objects is to act 5 as a flexible coupling between the engine and the rear axle, thereby smoothing out the impulses of the engine and rendering the action The embodiment illustrated comprises a Y shock-cushioning drive or coupling A which is shown secured to a universal coupling B of a well known type which is driven by a pro-` peller shaft C in a well known manner.

The shock-cushioning drive or' coupling A is made up essentially of two parallel facing flanges 10 and 11, the flange 10 having a concentric cylindrical boss 12 upon which is journaled a boss 13 carried by the flange 11 with the sleeve 14 between the two bosses of a suitable bearing metal. -r

The flanges l0 and l1 carry la spring therebetween, each end of the spring having two oppositely disposed keys 16 and 17 which are arcuate in form and which lie on the same circle concentric with the axisof the cou-v pling. These keys fit snugly into similarly shaped openings in the flange 11. A similar pair of keys 18 and 19 fit into similarly shaped arcuate openings in the flange 10. The use of this type of key insures a firm and even bearing of the spring Vupon the flange.

This spring normally tends to `press, the flanges 10 and 11 apart and these flanges are held in normal relation by means of radius rods 20 which are made in the form of bolts having spherical heads 21 which fit into spherical cups 22in the flange 11, while the 'opposite flange 10 .carries similar cups 23 welding or the like. These radius rods or OF SQTHBEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE CHRTTON,

i TRUSTEE. l i A bolts are subjected to heavy pressure vwhen l the device is in operation, and it is essential that these radius lrodsl or bolts shall not bes come unfastened.

It is also very necessary that these spheri# For this purpose the inner portion 26 is cutV away, as shown, so' thatv heavy grease and oil within the universal coupling B will find its way out to the heads 21 of the radius rods.

cal headsand cups be properly lubricated.

These rods are perforated longitudinally and have a drilled hole or otherl passage 27 through which oil may gradually pass from `one endof the rod to the other.

end of the radius rod v2O is covered by means Vof a stamped metal cap28 which makes a snug fit withinthe outer 'end o f the opening carrying the lining Vcups 23.

The springsvl are pressed between the flanges 10 and 11 after which the radius rods 20 are put' in place and the nuts 24 screwed down until they are all at substantially the same tension. The ends,25 are thenpelectrically welded so that the relationof these parts cannot readily change thereafter. The

ycaps 28 are then pressed into place and these may also be secured, if desired, by means of electric weldings 29. The flange 10 is provided with a centrallyv disposed hub 30 which is finished to adapt it to the particular form of differential shaftof the automobile on which it is to be used.

The outer The other end of the shock-cushioning drive or cup is closed by means of the flange l31 of the universal coupling B and is retained by means of bolts 32. ,l i Thus, it will be seen that a verysimpl'e and economical form of shock-cushioning drive is provided whichcan readily be placed between the rear universal coupling B and the differential shaft (not shown) ofthe automobile. If desired of course this shock-cushioning drive Vmay be placed at the forward end of the propeller shaft rather than at the rear. In

v either position, it absorbs much of the impulse of each individual cylinder of the engines and gives up this energy between the working, strokes so that it acts ,as aflexible coupling between the engine andthe rear axle thereby f greatly smoothing out the impulses of the engine and rendering the wholey action of the car much smoother.

'Y Vhile I 'have shown and .described but a single embodiment vof my invention, it is to lbe understood that it is capable, of many modifications. Changes therefore may be scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an enclosed flexible coupling, a pair of opposing flanges, a series of radius rods having spherical ends, sockets in said flanges adapted to receive said spherical ends, said coupling being provided with an opening on one side communicating with the sockets in one flange, aV universal joint connected lto the coupling and havin@ an opening communicating With'said first mentioned opening of .said coupling, and means for enclosing the outer ends of the sockets in the other flange, said rods having means for carrying lubricant from the sockets in one flange to the sockets in the other. y

, 2. In an enclosed flexible coupling, a pair of opposing flanges, a series of radius rods having spherical ends, sockets in said flanges adapted to receive said spherical ends, said coupling being provided with an opening on one side communicating with the sockets in Vone flange, a universal joint connected to the coupling and having an opening communicating with said first-mentioned opening, and means for enclosing the outer ends of the sockets in the other flange, saidrods having longitudinal holes therethrough for carrying lubricant from the sockets in one flange to the sockets in the other.

3. In an enclosed flexible coupling, a pair of opposing flanges, a series of radius rods having spherical ends, sockets in said flanges adapted to receive said spherical ends, said coupling being provided on one side With an opening, and a universal joint connected to vthe coupling, said opening of the coupling communicating on one side with said l,universal joint and on the other side With the sockets in one flange.

4l. In an enclosed flexible coupling, a pair of opposing flanges, a series of radius rods having spherical ends, sockets in said flanges adapted to receive said spherical ends, said coupling being provided on one side with an opening, a universal joint connected to the coupling, said opening communicating on one I side With said universal joint and on the other side With thesockets in one flange, and means for `enclosing the outer ends of the sockets in the other flange.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of September, 1927. GEQRGE F. EGKART. 

